Eurocommerce

The association representing European retailers, Eurocommerce, said the Commission’s draft lacked clear guidelines, meaning certain aspects will be left to interpretation of the member states.

“[This] will lead to different national rules creating significant burden for food manufacturers,” ​it said.

EuroCommerce’s adviser on food and sustainability Julie Mandrille drew attention to the implications for meat products.

“According to the latest draft, and if the principle of ​mutatis mutandis is applied, any meat product claiming an origin would need to declare the origin of the meat according to the place where the animal was reared and slaughtered (as required in Regulation 1337/2013 on origin of meat). ​

"These provisions need to be simplified and allow a single origin indication for meat based on the country or region where the animal has been reared, as defined in Reg. 1337/2013.”​